Cannibal Holocaust Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

You've been invited for dinner.

A group of film makes have gone missing in the jungle. Curious parties send out a group to find out what happened to the missing crew. Along the way they are witness to some truly shocking events involving the natives, who seem to be unduly hostile to ward them. They manage to uncover the missing team's film footage, but the team itself remains lost. They return to civilization and view the footage, hoping to find the truth. They find out much more than they wanted to know.

This is one of the bleakest to come out of the cannibal cycle. There is almost no humour, and what little there is just about as uncomfortable as it is funny. It also has some of the most violent scenes I have ever seen put of film. Direction is sharp, but intentionally rough, there are no clean edges to the picture.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Get hold of an uncut copy from ebay

This film plays off like a reality TV shoot in the Jungle where a group of filmaker want to shoot a documentry of cannibal tribes. I managed to get hold of an uncut version from ebay (Based on my experience of watching cannibal ferox english release and then owning the uncut ebay version the english censors cut these films to bits).

So a higher 4 stars would be given to the uncut version as we are all adults and should be able to decide what is inappropriate to watch for ourselves, I MEAN IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED THEN WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM LIKE THIS ANYWAY!!!!!!.

One note if you like this film then try to check out cannibal ferox as this is number 2 as far as cannibal films go.

The blood and gore are pretty good i assume they used pigs intestines for the eating humans scenes, plenty of gore and smut to be found here boys!!!!!!!!

If you have the stomach

I don't necessarily consider myself an afficianado of film but I do watch a lot of films. I particularly like challenging films such as American History X - highly recommended by the way.

Cannibal Holocaust is one of a number of films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Driller Killer, Straw Dogs, A Clockwork Orange and The Exorcist that had been banned by the BBFC for many years due to their unsuitablility for mass viewing due to one or two scenes that perhaps the producer/director refused to remove in exchange for a certificate.

It has, like the other films mentioned, gained something of a cult reputation for just how bad, in terms of shock values, a film it was to justify a ban in these changing times.

With Cannibal Holocaust it's relatively easy to see why the BBFC found things it objected to back in the 80s. As we find ourselves in the Naughties though unlike the other films mentioned it has to be said that this film still retains it's shock appeal and it's not the easiest of films to watch, there is more than one rape scene and to say more than this would be to introduce spoilers. However it's not a film for the voyeur, yes there is nudity, but it's not there for the sake of cheap thrills, least that's not the impression I took away from this film.

One thing that does strike me is the sense of manipulation that is evidenced by the main characters in order to present a 'picture' of fact. I can say nothing more as to do so would spoil the film. Needless to say this is a film that if you are serious about film that you should watch, not just to see what the fuss is about but to see a film maker show you how the truth that you see on film might not be all that it is cracked up to be.

Although over 20 years old this is a powerful film that can surely only be outdone in shock value by the types of homemade video tapes of Middle Eastern hostage murders that are now profligate on the Internet (Not that I recommend these as viewing). Cannibal Holocaust is simulated but despite the age of the film you'd be hard pressed to know it at times.

And another thing if you thought the 'original' Blair Witch Project was a masterpiece in innovative filming watch where the directors got their inspiration!

A must watch in my book. Not easy to watch but for a piece of film legend you should see this film.

A bad film made worse by censorship

As though this film wasn't bad enough, they have gone and taken out any scene that might have served to make the film interesting!! I would try to get my hands on an American version, or at least an uncensored one if I was you!

Warning: CENSORED VERSION

Very sadly, the version of the otherwise brilliant film is heavily censored, and NOT MARKED AS SUCH. I only found out during the viewing, and it's easy to spot: the censoring cuts were made very crudely, not even the music was adjusted - it literally just jumps to the frame after the cut, leaving you with an immediate sense of discontinuity.

Not nice. DVD-Rental staff: If it's a censored version of a film, please point it out so people can make an informed decision which version they want to see, rather than getting a nasty surprise either way.

Glad i've seen it at last!

Brilliant film! But i think that they cut the wrongs bits out! This looks and feels very realistic, it is made from an innocent point of view. All the way through the film it does take the moral highground which i liked. Which gives stability to the viewer. However i did feel there was no need for the rape scenes and the destruction of burning there homes. Also the merciless killings of the tribes. I guess overall the actors of the film with in the film deserved what happened to them.. which is the irony. However, its a very realistic film, dont watch it with a closed mind, nor with love of carnage. Just keep an open mind... And remember its not real! hehe But it is based on truth, cannbalistic tribes do exist! So it is part documentary and part fiction... based on facts. Far better than the blair witch project.

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

It's hard to understand people reviewing this title with dissapointment. What about this item suggests a well made acting tour-de-force? The name alone suggests an immature attempt at striking fear at it's mention. What you get for your money is a gore flic made in the late 70's about cannibals. Expect more and you really should have seen it coming. Saying that, the scenes of violence are often graphic and the kind never to see the light of terrestrial television. The student footage in particular. It plays out like an early Blair Witch, which given what the director worked with, is actually impressive. The plot unfolds, we learn truths about apparent victims, the cannibal tribes themselves are created very well and believeable, to be honest for what it is it's ok. The director could have made what this film should have been. Forgettable. It deserves the cult status it holds. Watch a 70's Gore movie and be surprised. Watch a fantastic horror movie and be dissapointed. Make the desicion before you watch.

All in the best possible taste

A man gets his penis cut off in front of you. I mean, you're looking for gory sensationalism, that's probably all I need to tell you. But let's assume you're after more than that.

As mentioned by other reviewers, some would compare this to 'Blair Witch' and some of the rubbishy spaghetti horror trappings might distract you from the genuine narrative skills at work in this film. Though occasionally crude (and done the favour of being shorn of its animal cruelty footage), 'Cannibal Holocaust' is a remarkably well-made film, and the clever device of having the 'real' footage critiqued by people who are watching it is very effective. In effect, despite the jaw-dropping sensationalism of the climax, this isn't so much an exploitation movie as a comment on exploitation movies, and the sick instincts that provoke their makers. Many gorehounds may argue that they've seen worse, but this is probably as much as the average filmgoer can take, and it's very strong meat. Nevertheless, if you can hold onto your dinner, it's a very provocative ride.

Read my review or I'll eat you!

If I had engaged my brain and thought about all the issues raised concerning the duality of man I might have enjoyed this film. But I did'nt so I turned it off and watched Family Guy instead. If this film were a lump of poo it would be a semi-green smelly one with bits of sweetcorn in it.

A real nasty!!

One word of advice about this movie, make sure you do NOT watch the Vipco vault of crap version as it has removed pretty much all of the features that you would watch it for in the first place:Gore.

Get on ebay and track down the full uncut version for a reasonable price (£10 should do it) and watch in amazement and revulsion at just why it got banned. Believe me, I borrowed the Vipco version and was wondering what the fuss was until I bought the uncut one. Must be at least 15 mins extra and a load of sick happenings too. One word of warning, if you are an animal lover then the uncut version has a fair bit of violence and mutilating of monkeys and turtles etc. Mind you, a strong stomach is needed for most of it really. The rating I have given is based on the uncut version, so anyone wanting a rating for this Vipco cack one should apply a score of 1 star.